Functional daytime urinary incontinence in childhood

Nonorganic (functional) daytime urinary incontinence in childhood is a frequent health problem from which up to 6% of children suffer at the age of 7 years. The classification distinguishes three frequent and six rare forms. Comorbid accompanying disorders should be detected and treated. The noninvasive standard diagnostics include the medical history using a comprehensive questionnaire, voiding diary, 14-day protocol, clinical examination, ultrasound examination, determination of residual volume and urinalysis. Urotherapeutic counselling with information about normal bladder emptying, disorders of bladder function in incontinence and treatment options are the mainstay of treatment. In children with an overactive bladder/urge incontinence, treatment with an anticholinergic agent or electrical nerve stimulation can be useful. In cases of detrusor muscle-sphincter incoordination electromyography biofeedback procedures have proven to be effective.